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An international program which will benefit local youth has started in = Dubbo.=20 Midnight Basketball =E2=80=93 which combines sport with learning about lif= e skills and=20 nutrition =E2=80=93 has its Australian origins in Sydney but has grown to = include=20 regional centres such as Orange and Tamworth. It was launched locally on 4= =20 September.
Dubbo City Council Youth Development Officer Paul Hennock was excited a= bout=20 the program.
=E2=80=9CThis concept has grown nationally and had very positive result= s in other=20 regional areas,=E2=80=9D he said.
=E2=80=9CIt provides youth on the streets with something to do on Satur= day nights and=20 combines nutrition, life skills education and teamwork with physical activ= ity in=20 the form of basketball in a safe drug and alcohol free environment.=E2=80= =9D
The Dubbo tournament is expected to take the following format:
- Registered players will be collected from set pick-up points=20
- They will be taken to PCYC for a nutritious meal=20
- This will be followed by a workshop and basketball game=20
- Afterwards, players and volunteers will be returned to their homes=20
- There is no cost involved
Mr Hennock said more volunteers are required to help run the program in= =20 Dubbo.
=E2=80=9CVolunteers are vital to the success of the project,=E2=80=9D h=
e said.
=E2=80=9CSeveral=20
organisations and community groups are already volunteering their time and=
=20
resources to make the event happen but there=E2=80=99s still more helpers =
needed.
=E2=80=9CAnyone interested in assisting Dubbo Midnight Basketball is ur=
ged to email=20
Midnight Basketball Australia CEO Tess White officially launched t= he=20 project at Dubbo PCYC. The program will have four tournaments which will r= un for=20 eight weeks apiece, all supported by Midnight Basketball Australia. Each=20 tournament will culminate in a finals and awards night.
Dubbo Program partners: Commonwealth Bank, Housing NSW, Aboriginal Empl= oyment=20 Service, Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre, IKI Magic, Dubbo City Youth Council, = Dubbo=20 Youth Foundation and Midnight Basketball Australia
MEDIA CONTACTS: Midnight Basketball Australia CEO Tess=
=20
White, on (02) 9232 8893 or go to